Activities
We believe that people with Learning Disabilities should be able to make choices about where and how they spend their time. We work with the resident and their circle of support to develop an individual activity program that meets their needs. We encourage our residents to make their own choices, to achieve their own goals and to live a fulfilling life through the access of a full range of interesting and achievable activities.
Some activities are enjoyed in groups while others engage in 1:1 time with dedicated staff employed especially for that reason. Activities, of course, occur both on site and within the community. With a selection of cars at Oakdown, many of them adapted for transporting residents in wheelchairs, there is no limit to the type or location of activities that residents wish to access.
On-site Activities
The list of on-site activities is endless and although a lot of the activities are pre planned, the day service team and support workers love to be spontaneous too. Activities are planned across site, in all units, 7 days a week. Activities within the home range from gardening, cooking, IT, sensory art, craft-based activities through to visiting musicians, discos and social evenings.
The residents, supported by staff, regularly produce their own easy read, community newspaper. We also have lots of sensory equipment which promotes the development of gross and fine motor skills, language and memory, best of all it’s also great fun. Oakdown is visited regularly by therapists including those that specialise in massage, chiropody and any other area that a resident may need.
Activities in the Community
We encourage residents to access activities within the local community as well as further afield. Staff will support all residents to access church groups, college courses, shopping, eating out, hydro-therapy sessions, swimming, sports, social clubs and any other groups or places of interest. Residents have enjoyed visits to places such as Kew Gardens, The Making of Harry Potter and even trips to visit family in America! Taking residents on holiday is very important, sometimes residents go on holiday as a group and sometimes just with staff, the choice is theirs.
If appropriate and wherever possible, we support residents to find employment (paid or voluntary) at a level that suits them best. Employment promotes independence, responsibility & achievement.
